A Proposed In Vitro Methodology for Assessing the Accuracy of Three-Dimensionally Printed Dental Models and the Impact of Storage on Dimensional Stability

Abstract

The objective of this study was to propose a standardised methodology for assessing the accuracy of three-dimensional printed (3DP) full-arch dental models and the impact of storage using two printing technologies. A reference model (RM) comprising seven spheres was 3D-printed using digital light processing (MAX UV, MAX) and stereolithography (Form 2, F2) five times per printer. The diameter of the spheres (n = 35) represented the dimensional trueness (DT), while twenty-one vectors (n = 105) extending between the sphere centres represented the full-arch trueness (FT). Samples were measured at two (T₁) and six (T₂) weeks using a commercial profilometer to assess their dimensional stability. Significant (p < 0.05) contraction in DT occurred at T₁ and T₂ with a medium deviation of 108 µm and 99 µm for MAX, and 117 µm and 118 µm for F2, respectively. No significant (p > 0.05) deviations were detected for FT. The detected median deviations were evenly distributed across the arch for MAX at p < 0.05). The proposed methodology was able to assess the accuracy of 3DP. Storage significantly impacted the full-arch accuracy of the models up to 6 weeks post-printing.